It is similar to drug or alcohol addiction in that addicted
gamers often try to escape problems in their lives by playing deeply engrossing video games that provide
them with a sense of power and control.
Often those people addicted to gaming experience deteriorating relationships, sleep deprivation, mental
disorders and in some cases can lead to substance abuse or even substance addiction.
Popular Beliefs About Video Games
Many people have misinformed beliefs and thoughts about video games.
There is a whole population that believes that video games are a waste of time and money and are a cause of
violence, sexism and creates a lack of social life among young people.
Other people believe that video games can be a great addition for educational purposes if used appropriately.
Realistically, both opinions are valid to a certain extent. It all depends on the video game player’s
attitude, time spent gaming and overall perspective with gaming.
Diagnosing Yourself for Video Game Disorder
If you are considering whether you might have a problem, trying to make an honest appraisal of your
relationship with video games could be revealing.
Unlike drugs or other substance addictions, you may not be able to identify this gaming addiction.
Are you simply an enthusiast, or have you arrived at a point of dependence? Can you be comfortably separated
from your gaming for days at a time, or would this be problematic?
The recognition of the internet gaming disorder will hopefully allow people to engage with these kinds of
questions without concerns over their validity.
Effects of Gaming Disorder
Video game disorder can create or exacerbate other mental health issues.
Note that someone who spends days at a time playing video games may be vulnerable to depression and anxiety
when they are separated from their games and experience withdrawal symptoms.
There is also the issue of video game dependence becoming linked with other problems, adding further
complexity to the dependency and negatively affect their life.
Any two addictions can become paired with each other. A common example is coffee and
cigarettes.
The same could certainly happen with video gaming and other behaviours.
Let’s say whenever the person is playing games, they’re always eating a particular food. They’ll start to
link those two things together. So the pairing can further increase the impact the disorder can have
on someone’s life and possibly lead to an addiction.
Symptoms of Video Game Addiction
There are many telling signs that you may notice when developing a video gaming addiction. Some of the signs
include:
The uncontrollable urge to spend more time gaming
Unsuccessfully reducing the amount of time spent gaming
The inability to stop when you need to
Losing interest in other activities that you may have found joy in previously
Continuing gaming even though there are negative consequences
Using gaming as a way to relieve negative moods, stress or guilt
Experiencing withdrawal symptoms when stopped playing
Influence of Video Game Disorder on Social Skills
These games offer a chemical reward, similar to that elicited through drug use, while giving users an
attractive escape to become fully immersed in a virtual world that they can command.
The sense of power, accomplishment and self-worth are highly addictive to users of all ages, but especially
socially maladjusted teenagers, most often boys, who withdraw from society and into the gaming world as a
form of sanctuary.
Adults may also play video games for an escape into a virtual space where they can immerse themselves while
avoiding their current priorities. This also means possibly neglecting current relationships and their
social life.
Other Effects of Video Game Addiction
Alongside the many mental health risks with video game addiction, there are some physical negative effects of
long-term gaming.
Negative effects include; carpal tunnel syndrome caused by overuse of a controller or computer mouse, fatigue
due to sleep deprivation and poor performance in other facts of life because video gaming is consuming your
time.
Younger addicts can miss out on critical education and personal development by long-term gaming. However,
adults tend to experience deteriorating relationships and problems maintaining work obligations due to this
gaming addiction.
Preventing a Gaming Addiction
In order to try and prevent gaming addiction, try some of the tips we have listed below.
1. Try setting a time constraint while gaming: This could be just setting up a timer so that
you hold yourself accountable for the amount of time gaming you spend each day so that you can prevent
addiction.
2. Keep all game devices away from you before bed: Try to avoid any screen and game time
before bed so you don’t play at night. You can also ask your family members to keep them for you so they are
not easily accessible.
3. Try doing something else: There are many activities that can be done instead of gaming
that can still be enjoyable and not have the same negative effects or encourage an addiction.
4. Be cognizant of warning signs: Notice if you are always itching to play or can’t go a day
without playing video games. These warning signs may tell you that you are becoming addicted to video games
and that you need to stop.
When Gaming Becomes an Addiction
Gaming becomes an addiction when those who are going through can’t stop gaming and it begins to get in the
way with other activities, schoolwork, professional commitments or family events. There has also been debate
about gaming addiction creating dependency on other drugs and substances.
How to Ultimately Stop a Gaming Addiction?
If you notice that gaming is negatively affecting your mental health and there are some warning signs of
addiction in the early stages try some of these tips below to mitigate them.
1. Quit gaming instantly: This may be difficult to cut out especially cold turkey and you
may experience withdrawal symptoms. It is important to realize that it is no easy feat to completely quit
something so remember to be kind to yourself if you are having a difficult time and choose goals that are
reasonable.
2. Slowly ween off of playing video games: If quitting cold turkey is difficult try to
slowly decrease the amount of time spent gaming. Video game addictions can have immense long-term negative
consequences so it is important to decrease time spent gaming when you do begin to notice your gaming
addiction.
3. Find an alternative hobby: Being part of the fantasy world can seem exciting and
incomparable. However, if you are noticing the negative consequences that gaming addiction has then it is
important to find a more healthy hobby such as playing a sport, painting, playing an instrument or anything
that interests you.
Gaming addiction is very real and oftentimes gaming takes precedence for those addicted to it.
If you find yourself unable to stop compulsive gaming then there are many
treatment options that you can explore.
If you or someone you know is experiencing video game addiction and/ or has many unsuccessful attempts in
trying to quit gaming please contact us to enter treatment.
Video Game Addiction Disorder Treatment
Our addiction rehab centre treats the serious nature of gaming
addiction with the utmost care and compassion, providing a safe and relaxing environment to assist with
treatment. By personalizing the treatment options, we learn the
intricacies of your condition to help you reach your recovery goals and sustaining a healthy, balanced
lifestyle.
Trafalgar offers residential treatment (also referred to as inpatient treatment) for gaming addiction and
co-occurring psychological disorders at our residential addiction
treatment centres. While at our care in our inpatient facilities in Ontario, you will receive a
personalized treatment program for gaming addiction specific to your personal needs.
Virtual Outpatient Treatment for Video Game Addiction
For those unable to attend our residential treatment programs, Trafalgar offers virtual intensive outpatient
addiction treatment as an effective alternative to residential rehabilitation for gaming addiction.
You can also have treatment for gaming disorder in the comfort and privacy of your home by enrolling in Virtual Addiction Rehab Program.
So, you can get the same intensive outpatient program through an online, secure platform for treating
addicted gamers all across Canada.
As part of Trafalgar’s addiction treatment programs, we offer online aftercare services to make sure that
upon graduation of the client, any relapse will be prevented through our aftercare program.
Some may think that if they have made it through a video game addiction rehab program then their problems are
over. Completing a video game addiction treatment program is a great accomplishment, but it is only the
beginning of the recovery journey. Aftercare is especially important during the first few years of recovery.
Aftercare participation is a chance to interact with other clients who also struggle with addiction, practice
social skills and identify relapse triggers. If you’d like to receive it, our Aftercare Groups enable you to have an opportunity to check
in and receive constructive feedback from fellow addicts on how you are progressing. Group therapy have
proven to help with recovery and sustained recovery.
Meet Our Renowned Experts
You will receive Video Game Addiction Treatment from the very
best. We have a team of accredited professionals who have many years of clinical and
research experience.
